Ventilated bed enclosure



Aug. 11, 1959 T, sc s 2,898,837

VENTILATED BED ENCLOSURE Filed Oct. 12, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. TH MPS L- fiRfiLLI TTORNW 1, 1959 v T. L. SCARSELLI 2,898,837

VENTILATED BED ENCLOSURE Filed Oct. 12, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR. THOW s L- AR ELLI BTTORNRY gamma United States Patent() VENTILATED BED ENCLOSURE Thomas L. Scarselli, Washington, D.C.

Application October 12, 1954, Serial No. 461,759

2 Claims. (Cl. 9833) This invention relates to a childs crib or the like. More particularly, it is concerned with providing an enclosed childs crib wherein novel means are employed for enclosing the crib, together with novel means for directing either cool or warm air into the interior of the crib when it is enclosed so as to air condition the same.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a childs crib having novel means for enclosing the same.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a childs crib wherein novel means are employed for enclosing the crib, together with novel means for thereafter supplying either cool or warm air to the interior of the crib.

It is another object of this invention to provide novel canopy means which can be detachably affixed to the ends and/or sides of a childs crib for the purposes of closing in the same.

It is another object of this invention to provide novel canopy means which can be detachably affixed to the ends and/or sides of a childs crib for the purpose of enclosing the same, with the canopy in turn having novel flap means which can be opened or closed from either I side of the crib so as to provide easy access to the interior of the crib.

It is another object of this invention to provide an enclosed crib having novel blower means detachably afiixed to the bottom of the crib for the purposes of directing cool or warm air into the interior of the crib.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an enclosed crib wherein novel blower means are detachably affixed to the bottom of the crib for the purposes of directing moist cool or warm air into the interior of the crib.

These and other objects are accomplished by providing an enclosed crib construction or the like, comprising the combination of a bottom member, end members aflixed to said bottom member, and side members connected to the end members. A cover or canopy, preferably of transparent material, is removably aflixed to the end and/or side members so as to enclose the crib. Blower means dependingly affixed to the bottom member are connected by suitable duct means to the interior of the crib. The canopy is provided preferably with two flaps, one at each side of the crib. These permit access to the interior of the crib from either side of the crib while the canopy is in place. Zipper means are employed for opening and closing these flaps.

Other objects and advantages of the instant invention will become more apparent from a review of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one type of childs crib provided with the novel canopy enclosing means and air conditioning means of the instant invention;

Figure 2 is a, sectional view of the crib shown in Figure 1* when taken along line 2 -2 thereof;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the crib as taken along lines 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a broken end view of the crib shown in Figure 1 and discloses how a control panel, having a thermostat, thermometer, etc., may be affixed to one of the end members for controlling the air conditioning means for the crib;

Figure 5 is an exploded view of a modified type of canopy member of the instant invention and a crib to which it may be affixed; and

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken of the crib shown in Figure 5 with the canopy attached.

With further reference to the drawings wherein like numerals have been employed to designate similar parts, the novel enclosed crib of the instant invention may be comprised of a pair of end members 1 and 2 having legs 3 and 3', 4 and 4. Removably afiixed to the end members 1 and 2 are a pair of side members 5 and 6. The side members and end members may be removably attached to one another in a manner well known in the art. For example, the end members may be provided on the inner surface and at each side thereof with elongated grooves or slots 8 and 7 within which the ends of the side members or panels may be removably inserted. If desired, the side panels 5 and 6 may be made of a clear transparent plastic so that the occupant of the crib may be observed from the outside. The crib is also provided with a bottom member 5' which may be made in the form of hinged sections 6 and 7, each of which is pivotally secured by hinge means 8 to separate end members. To hold these sections 6 and 7' in place, latch means W are employed. Latch means 9 comprises the rod 10 slidable in the brackets 11 affixed to each of the sections 6' and 7 The mattress 12' is placed upon the bottom member 5.

Detachably aflixed to the crib is a transparent plastic canopy member 9. This canopy which is roughly U- shaped is provided with a top portion 10 and sides 11 and 12.

Each end of the canopy or cover member 9 is provided with side and top flanged portions 13, 13' and 14, respectively. These flanged portions overlap the top and sides of each of the end members. Flanges 13, 13' and 14 of canopy 9, as well as the bottom marginal edge of the sides 10 and 11 of the crib are each provided with snap fastener elements 15 of any suitable type which are adapted to be locked with cooperating snap fasteners 15 permanently afiixed to the end and side members of the crib.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a portion of each side of the top 10 as well as the sides 11 and 12 of: the canopy are each provided with Zippered elements 16. By having two sets of Zippered elements 16 at each side of the crib which can be opened independent- 1y of'each other, it is possible to raise a fiap element 17 on each side of the crib. Thus, access may be gained to the interior thereof without disturbing the other side of the canopy 9 as a whole.

In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, one end member of the crib, such as end member 1, is provided with e an elongated opening 18. Removably afiixed to the end member 1 and adjacent opening 18 is an L-shaped hood element 19, which may be made from sheet metal, plastic or any other suitable material. This hood element may also be made in sectionalized form. The hood is provided with a flared top portion 20 and a bottomleg portion 21 which fits underneath the crib and is dependingly attached thereto by means" of the bracket 22. Removably joined to or fitted within the leg 2 1 of the hood 19 is a conduit 22'. Conduit' 22" may also be removably aflixed to the bottom of the crib by means of thebracket member 23. {When conduit 22 is joined to the hood 19, theycombineto form a; ductway leading to theinterior of the crib through opening 18; Located in conduit 22" is a'suitable blower or fan 24 and located at the extremity of the ductway formed by hood 19 and conduit 22, furtherest removed from hood 19, is an air filter 25. Thus, by means of the blower or fan 24, cooling air can be drawn through the air filter 25 and then transmitted through the ductway formed by means of conduit 22' and hood 19 into the interior of the crib through the opening 18 in end member 1.

When it is desired to preheat the air being drawn into the interior of the crib by means of the blower 24, a suitable type of heating element 26, which may consist of a cone type heating element having resistance wires therein may be employed. This heating element 26 is secured to a suitable electric socket 27, located in conduit 22. Socket 27 is connected by wire means 28 to an electrical outlet in the wall of the room in which the crib is located.

In addition, provision is also made for placing a suitable humidifier unit 30 in the ductway formed by the hood 19 and conduit 22. This humidifier unit, which may consist of a reservoir of water within which a cloth wick is placed, is mounted within a suitable holder 32 afiixed to a portion of the leg element 21 of the hood 19. The part of the leg element 21 to which the holder 32 is afiixed may take the form of a pivotally mounted trap door 33. Thus, as the cooling or warming air is drawn into the crib, it may be supplied with moisture through the medium of the vaporizing or humidifying unit 30.

In a modified form of the invention, as indicated particularly in Figs. 5 and 6, the canopy member 9 may be so formed that it is provided in addition to the other novel features described above, with a ductway of suitable transparent plastic material at one end thereof. This ductway is collapsible when the canopy is not in use and it may be made from a separate piece of plastic material secured or heat sealed to canopy member 9 in a manner well known in the art. Ductway 40 has an opening 41 in registry with a similar opening in canopy 9, which leads to the crib interior and an opening 41 which is adapted to be placed in registry with and secured to the hood 19. Thus, the canopy can be conveniently attached to any conventional crib presently in use Without any substantial modification of the same.

In this case also, the hood 19 will not be in open communication with the interior of the crib by means of an opening in the end member 1. Instead, the ductway 40 of canopy 9 will be folded over the flanges on the hood 19 and secured thereto by snap fastener elements 15 and 15'. If desired, a venturi tube 42 may be located in the hood 19 with the venturi tube also having a pipe member 43 attached thereto at right angles. Pipe member 43 is in open communication with the venturi. When pipe member 43 is placed in the opening 44 in the end of the crib, the venturi tube will also be placed in open communication with the interior of the crib. In this way, portions of the previously heated or cooled air may also be removed from the crib and returned thereto in a continuous cycle.

It is obvious that there will be a certain amount of air leakage through the crib at the points where the bottom and the side members of the crib meet. This leakage of air provides for a continuous circulation of cooling or warming air through the crib interior.

As indicated in Fig. 4, a suitable control panel 60 having means for controlling the heating element 26 and the blower 24, may also be employed. By use of the novel crib of the instant invention, it will be possible for a child to move freely and safely within the crib and yet be in full vision of the parents at all times due to the fact that clear plastic sides and a clear plastic canopy is employed.

In addition, a child can be easily reached from either side of the crib through the medium of the two way zipper elements 16 located on either side thereof. Also, by means of the novel heating and cooling elements of the instant invention, the crib can be air conditioned at all times of the year. For example, during the summer months the heating element 26 can be disconnected so that the child can have clean cool fresh air supplied to him in the crib. During the winter months, the heating element can be attached to provide a child with thermostatically controlled heat. As a result, a child can move about in freedom and comfort. Troublesome clothing and blankets may even be dispensed with. All the while, a parent can be at ease knowing that the child is warm and safe.

From the foregoing description, it will be obvious that the enclosed crib of the instant invention could be used most advantageously during periods of sickness. For example, the humidifying unit, which can be easily installed, will allow moist air to be supplied to a child sick with a cold.

The crib can also be used as an oxygen tent by replacing the fan 24 with an oxygen blower. During this peri 0d, the child being treated will be able to move about .within the crib with complete freedom and not be subject to the discomfort and unpleasantness of conventional oxygen tents.

Finally, it will be noted that all of the elements making up the canopy for enclosing the crib as well as the blower and duct means for air conditioning the crib are made of simple easily manufactured parts. These parts can also be assembled and dismantled in a minimum amount of time and effort without the use of any special tools. When not in use, they can also be conveniently stored in a small amount of space in a closet in the home.

Although the novel canopy means has been described with particular reference to its use for enclosing a childs crib, it is to be noted that it may also be advantageously employed to enclose an adults bed during times of sickness. When the bed is enclosed, the novel air conditioning and/or heating means may also be utilized to advantage.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in the instant invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as defined by the appended claims, wherein what is claimed is:

1. In an enclosed crib and the like, the combination of a bottom member, end members afiixed to said bottom member, and side members connected to said end members, one of said end members being provided with an opening therein, blower means dependingly and detachably afiixed to the said bottom member, detachable duct means connecting said blower means to the opening in one of said end members, an access door in said duct means and a humidifier holder mounted on the inside of said access door, a canopy removably afiixed to the end members of said crib for enclosing the said crib, said canopy having a flap for gaining access to the interior of said crib, zipper means for opening and closing the flap and a venturi tube means disposed in the said duct means intermediate said blower means and said opening in said end member, and a separate pipe means connecting said venturi tube means with the interior of the crib independently of said duct means whereby portions of previously treated air supplied to the enclosed crib may be removed from the crib and returned thereto in a continuous cycle.

2. An enclosed crib as set forth in claim 1 including heater means disposed in said duct means intermediate said blower means and the opening in said end member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 854,033 Glazier et al May 21, 1907 1,395,912 Ferenzi Nov. 1, 1921 1,936,960 Bowman Nov. 28, 1933 2,104,589 Hartman Jan. 4, 1938 (Other references on following page) 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS Benedict Dec. ,19, 1939 Mover Feb. 19, 1952 MacCracken Oct. 14, 1952 MacDowell Dec. 22, 1953 5 6 FOREIGN PATENTS Canada Mar. 18, 1952 Great Britain Apr. 21, 1954 

